Benefits of knowing your BMI

Body Mass Index determines obesity

According to results from a Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey, people who worked in transportation, manufacturing and repair industries were more likely to be obese. Obesity was defined as having a body mass index, or BMI, of over 30.

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According to results from a Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey, people who worked in transportation, manufacturing and repair industries were more likely to be obese. Obesity was defined as having a body mass index, or BMI, of over 30.

istock

There are lots of ways to tell if you need to lose weight.

You can climb on a scale, measure your waist circumference, or calculate your BMI or body mass index.

Dr. Karen Cooper, an obesity expert at Cleveland Clinic, said although BMI is not fool proof, it helps determine how much body fat you have.

"It gives you an idea of where you should be in terms of your weight. Studies have shown the higher your body mass index is, the more at risk you are for certain diseases," Cooper said.